CAMPAIGNERS have been dealt a blow after a wind farm was approved to stay until August 2029.

The seven turbines at Askam and Ireleth wind farm were granted permission limited to 20 years but its operators wanted it to stay another decade following a change in the law.

Last month, the council’s planning committee heard residents’ concerns about noise and postponed its decision.

Cannock Wind Energy Limited applied to ‘modify’ the 106 agreement.

It was put in place when planning permission was granted stating that it would stay for 20 years.

Changes since then allow the applicants to ‘modify’ the 106 if the applicants can demonstrate that the wind farm still ‘fulfils a useful purpose’.

The turbines were branded the ‘worst in the country’ for complaints with residents Gillian Haythornthwaite and Les Nicholls complaining of the noise.

Gillian Haythornthwaite described the decision to keep the turbines as ‘appalling’.

the applicants pointed out that it has never been found to cause a ‘statutory noise nuisance’.

Last month, Barrow council’s planning committee heard residents’ concerns about noise and postponed its decision.

Jason Hipkiss, the council’s development services manager, warned the committee that it could face legal action if it refused the application.